In a stark illustration of the ongoing struggle for personal freedom in Iran, 33-year-old Roya Heshmati faced 74 lashes as punishment for her unwavering refusal to wear the hijab, challenging the strict dress code enforced in the country.
Charged with “encouraging permissiveness,” she defiantly appeared unveiled on multiple occasions in Tehran, the capital, prompting a crackdown by authorities.
Charges and Punishment
Roya Heshmati’s act of appearing without a hijab in public spaces led to charges of “encouraging permissiveness” and a subsequent penalty of 74 lashes.
The judiciary’s Mizan Online website confirmed that the punishment was carried out in accordance with sharia law and for the violation of public morals. Additionally, she was ordered to pay a fine of 12 million rials (£225).
Iran has maintained a strict dress code since shortly after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, requiring all women to cover their neck and head.
Whippings for dress code violations have been relatively uncommon, but there has been an increased crackdown on those challenging the rules, particularly after anti-government protests erupted in late 2022.
The death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd, in custody for an alleged dress code breach, fueled mass demonstrations where women openly defied the mandatory hijab.
The anti-government protests witnessed women discarding or burning their headscarves in a collective act of defiance.
Subsequently, more women began flouting the dress code, leading to intensified enforcement measures by officials. Roya Heshmati, identified as being of Kurdish origins by Hengaw, a Kurdish-focused rights group, became a symbol of resistance against the oppressive hijab mandate.
Heshmati, who was arrested in April for posting a photo on social media without wearing a headscarf, faced the lashes with resilience.
Quoted by BBC Persian, she said, “As the lashes struck my body, I whispered, ‘In the name of woman, in the name of life, dawn will come.’” Even during her transportation for the flogging, she steadfastly refused to cover her hair.
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Hijab Enforcement Escalates in Iran
Apart from the physical punishment, Heshmati was charged with “not wearing the Muslim veil in public.” Surveillance cameras in public places were deployed by officials to monitor hijab law violations, resulting in the closure of businesses that breached the rules. Additionally, Iran’s parliament discussed a bill to intensify penalties for those violating the dress code.
Roya Heshmati’s courageous stand against the compulsory hijab highlights the ongoing battle for individual freedoms in Iran. Her defiance and subsequent punishment shed light on the harsh consequences faced by those challenging the established norms, prompting global conversations on human rights and personal autonomy.
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